• No results found

Report on Globalisation to the Nordic Prime Ministers, by the Ministers for Nordic Co-operation, October 2009

N/A
N/A
Protected

Academic year: 2021

Share "Report on Globalisation to the Nordic Prime Ministers, by the Ministers for Nordic Co-operation, October 2009"

Copied!
26
0
0

Loading.... (view fulltext now)

Full text

(1)

REPORT ON GLOBALISATION TO

THE NORDIC PRIME MINISTERS,

BY THE MINISTERS FOR NORDIC

CO-OPERATION

Nordic Council of Ministers

Store Strandstræde 18 DK-1255 Copenhagen K Tel.: +45 3396 0200 Fax +45 3396 0202 www.norden.org 21 October 2009 09-01747-8

Status of the globalisation process...2

New globalisation initiatives ...3

Appendix 1: Overview Table ...4

Current initiatives:...4

New initiatives: ...4

Appendix 2: Globalisation Initiatives...5

1. Globalisation Forum...5

2. Nordic Top-Level Research ...6

3. Innovation Representation in Asia ...7

4. New Nordic Innovation Prize for Nordic quality ...8

5. Joint Nordic Energy Expo...9

6. 2010 Shanghai World Expo...10

7. Nordic commitment to provide input into climate negotiations ...11

8. Freedom of movement in the Nordic Region ...12

9. Development of the Nordic research and innovation area (NORIA) ...13

10. Promoting higher education in the Nordic Region ...14

11. Adequate teaching for young people and adults ...16

12. Illustration of the consequences of climate change for the Nordic Region’s natural resources...18

13. Development and profiling of the Nordic Region as a centre for creative industries ...19

14. Harmonisation of the Nordic electricity market...20

15. Nordic culture in the world...20

Appendix 3. New globalisation initiatives...22

A. Culture & Creativity...22

B. Health and Welfare ...22

C. eScience...23

D. Energy and Transport...24

E. Perspectives for future action in CDM (Clean Development Mechanism) and JI (Joint Implementation) markets ...24

F. Climate-friendly construction ...24

G. Negotiations on mercury...25

ANP 2009:769

© Nordic Council of Ministers, Copenhagen 2009

(2)

The Nordic Council of Ministers’ (NCM) work on globalisation has been in-tense, and has been given the highest priority since the prime ministers launched the Nordic globalisation process in summer 2007. A number of tan-gible initiatives have been launched, while others currently being developed will launch next year. The globalisation process has attracted particular inter-est from the Baltic countries, the EU and other international stakeholders, and in relation to the work on the EU’s Baltic Sea Strategy. The initiatives implemented should be seen as the cornerstones of the Nordic globalisation process, which underpins and stimulates the prime ministers’ over-arching vision, as outlined in “Region of Opportunity – a Nordic response to the chal-lenges of globalisation”. Several tangible results have already been achieved, especially in the climate, environment and energy sector. Several of the ini-tiatives with relatively small budgets have generated substantial co-funding from sources other than NCM. The focus in the immediate future will be on making the results of the ongoing initiatives visible and ensuring that new initiatives launched in 2010 get up and running. The Danish Presidency of the NCM 2010 will also prioritise continued focus on globalisation work.

Status of the globalisation process

The Nordic prime ministers’ commitment to the globalisation process has led to changes in the NCM’s focus, but also to closer co-operation between the various councils of ministers. Providing assistance to initiatives that will pro-mote a positive outcome from the negotiations at the UN climate summit in Copenhagen is a top Nordic priority, and therefore many of the globalisation initiatives focus on the climate, the environment and energy. The Nordic prime ministers’ Climate Declaration of June 2009 is another example of commitment in this area. Globalisation initiatives have also helped to raise the Nordic profile. The Region is profiled under headings such as: The Nordic Region as a leading knowledge and innovation region; The Nordic Region as a creator of climate, environment and energy solutions for the Nordic and global markets; The Nordic Region as an internationally committed and re-sponsible region; and The Nordic welfare as a unique welfare model with strong cultural affinities.

The aim of the Nordic Top-Level Research Initiative (TFI), the largest-ever Nordic research and innovation effort, is to link up the strongest Nordic re-search and innovation environments in climate, energy and environment, and to serve as a platform for closer international co-operation inside and outside the EU. Several globalisation initiatives have generated significant external co-funding for the TFI, which has a total budget of DKK 384.8 million – of which DKK 225.8 million comes from national funds, DKK 114.1 million from Nordic institutions and DKK 44.9 million (indicative figure) from NCM’s global-isation pool. The annual Nordic Globalglobal-isation Forum brings together leading figures from industry, research, politics and the media, and has generated specific ideas for Nordic co-operation, including the vision of the Nordic coun-tries as the “Green Valley of Europe”. The Energy Expo initiative, via the ex-hibition and conference Nordic Climate Solutions and the web portal Nordic Energy Solutions, has helped to raise the profile of the Nordic Region’s sus-tainable energy technologies, and has brought together more than 1,000 delegates from over 40 countries. The globalisation initiative to provide input to climate negotiations has, via the Nordic COP15 Group, organised a number of informal meetings between global negotiators. A “Nordic Climate Day” planned for June 2010, as part of joint Nordic activities at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, is another of the NCM’s globalisation initiatives.

A table outlining all of the globalisation initiatives can be found in Appendix 1. Appendices 2 and 3 provide detailed accounts of the globalisation initiatives.

(3)

In addition, in September 2009, the Nordic countries, via the Nordic Devel-opment Fund (NDF), decided to provide €14 million in investments to climate projects in developing countries. Earlier this year, the ministers for Nordic co-operation (MR-SAM) decided to change the statutes of the Fund to allow it to provide grant funding. The value of the Fund’s returns over the next 35 years is estimated to be approx. €1 billion. Nordic Climate Day, which will run throughout the Nordic education system on 11 November 2009, bears wit-ness to NCM’s commitment to climate issues.

New globalisation initiatives

The prime ministers have repeatedly advocated new initiatives within the framework of Nordic globalisation work. On October 15 2009, the ministers for Nordic co-operation took the decision in principle to launch seven new globalisation initiatives, two of which (“Culture & Creativity” and “eScience”) are extensions of existing initiatives (“Development and profiling of the dic Region as a centre for creative industries” and "Development of the Nor-dic Research and Innovation Area (NORIA)”). More detailed descriptions of the new initiatives are provided in Appendix 3. The process of selecting the new initiatives involved all of the councils of ministers, as well as the Nordic Council. The new initiatives are:

Culture & Creativity – the purpose of which is to further develop the existing initiative “Development and profiling of the Nordic Region as a centre for creative industries”.

Health and Welfare – the purpose of which is to create a coherent programme proposal that will stimulate major Nordic co-operation efforts in the health and welfare fields.

eScience – the purpose of which is to further develop the Nordic Research and Innovation Area (NORIA) through cutting-edge eScience projects.

Energy and Transport – the purpose of which is to initiate a process that can further develop the idea of the Nordic Region as the “Green Valley of Europe”. Perspective for future activities in CDM and JI markets – the purpose of which is to support the Nordic countries’ activities in relation to any changes in CDM (Clean Development Mechanism) and JI (Joint Implementation) markets that may follow from COP15.

Climate-friendly construction – the purpose of which is to analyse the precon-ditions for a potential innovation programme that would support the Nordic development and demonstration of energy-efficient and CO2-neutral con-struction, as well as energy-plusbuildings.

Negotiations on mercury – the purpose of which is to support the first global round of negotiations in 2010, in order to achieve a binding global mercury agreement by 2013.

The relevant ministerial councils are responsible for the further development and implementation of the initiatives to be launched next year. The size of NCM’s budget for new globalisation initiatives in 2010 is DKK 33.9 million, out of a total globalisation pool of DKK 70 million. Additional funding may also be made available from national budgets, from Nordic institutions and from ex-ternal funders. The Nordic Council will be kept informed of developments, and an up-to-date report about NCM’s globalisation work will be submitted to the summer 2010 meeting of prime ministers.

(4)

Appendix 1: Overview Table

Current initiatives:

1. Globalisation Forum 9. Development of the Nordic

Re-search and Innovation Area (NO-RIA)

2. Nordic Top-Level Research (TFI) 10. Promoting higher education in the Nordic Region

3. Innovation representation in Asia 11. Adequate teaching for young people and adults

4. New Nordic Innovation Prize 12. Illustration of the conse-quences of climate change for the Nordic Region’s natural resources 5. Joint Nordic Energy Expo 13. Development and profiling of

the Nordic Region as a centre for creative industries

6. 2010 Shanghai World Expo 14. Harmonisation of the Nordic electricity market

7. Nordic commitment to provide input into climate negotiations

15. Nordic culture in the world

8. Freedom of movement in the Nor-dic Region

New initiatives:

A. Culture & Creativity (further de-velopment of initiative no. 13)

E. Perspectives for future action in CDM (Clean Development Mecha-nism) and JI (Joint Implementa-tion) markets

B. Health and Welfare F. Climate-friendly construction

C. eScience (further development of

initiative no. 9) G. Negotiations on mercury

(5)

Appendix 2: Globalisation Initiatives

1. Globalisation Forum

Purpose

The Forum is designed to provide a basis for tangible proposals for joint Nor-dic initiatives in the areas prioritised by the prime ministers. Its aim is to provide the Nordic prime ministers and other participants with inspiration and useful ideas in response to the opportunities and challenges posed by global-isation. Its participants come from the worlds of politics, business, education, research, the voluntary sector, NGOs and the civil service.

Status

The second Nordic Globalisation Forum was held in Iceland on 26–27 Febru-ary 2009, and was hosted by the Icelandic Prime Minister, Jóhanna Sigurd-sardóttir, and the Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers, Halldór Ásgrímsson. The 180 participants included the Nordic heads of gov-ernment, the President of the Nordic Council, and leading figures from Nordic business, research, NGOs and civil service.

The 2009 Forum focused on the international financial crisis and its impact on climate policy and innovation. Three international guest speakers gave lec-tures: Kenneth Rogoff (Harvard University), Stephen Ciesinski (Stanford Re-search Institute) and David Carlson (International Polar Year). The Nordic Top-level Research Initiative (TFI) was launched at the Forum by Rolf Anner-berg, who chairs the initiative. Plenary contributions were followed by discus-sions in smaller groups on the themes “The vulnerability of small economies”, “Progressive climate policy in times of crisis” and “Energy, environment and innovation”. The Forum resulted in a number of interesting presentations, discussions and practical ideas for Nordic co-operation. In connection with the Forum, the documents “Nordic Globalisation Barometer” and “Nordic In-novation Monitor” were published and the web portal Nordic Energy Solutions was launched (www.nordicenergysolutions.org).

Planned activities

The Danish Prime Minister and the Secretary General of the NCM will host the next Forum in Denmark, which is expected to be held on 20–21 May. Initial discussions have already taken place between the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Secretariat (NCMS) and the Office of the Prime Minister of Denmark. Prepara-tory work for the Forum will be based on experiences from previous forums. The offices of the other Nordic PMs will also be involved in the work, and the Nordic Committee for Co-operation (NCC) and MR-SAM will be kept informed. The Nordic Council will engage in ongoing dialogue about the planning. Evaluation of whether the political objectives have been achieved

The Nordic Globalisation Forum has become an annual event at which the prime ministers and other participants meet in an informal setting to discuss future co-operation. This has helped to focus and reinvigorate co-operation, especially on globalisation. The Forum has also served as a catalyst to gener-ate support for the implementation of various initiatives, e.g. the Nordic Top-level Research Initiative.

Both the 2008 and 2009 Forums resulted in a number of interesting presen-tations, discussions and practical ideas that were implemented via joint Nor-dic co-operation. In addition, the 2008 Globalisation Forum led to the issuing of the Riksgränsen Declaration, while the 2009 Forum resulted in a joint arti-cle by the prime ministers. Examples of new ideas that have emerged from the Forum include the former Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmus-sen’s vision of the “Green Valley of Europe”, and the proposed joint Nordic regulations for the building and construction industry. These ideas have been

(6)

considered as part of the process of developing new Nordic globalisation ini-tiatives (see Appendix 3).

Both Forums have been attended by important Nordic and international me-dia, including SVT, YLE, TT, Ritzau, Dagens Nyheter, Børsen, International Herald Tribune, the Economist, the Financial Times and the EU Observer.

2. Nordic Top-Level Research

Purpose

One of the objectives outlined in the prime ministers’ summer 2007 press release was to develop an overall initiative to promote Nordic top-level re-search, first in the areas of climate, energy, and the environment, and later in health and welfare. The work in area 1 (climate, energy and environment) has started, while area 2 (health and welfare) will come later, and will build upon experience gained during the first phase.

The programme’s general aims are to:

– constitute a key element in Nordic investment in research and innovation in climate, energy and the environment, and to create the preconditions for closer collaboration between countries, Nordic institutions and national bodies

– be a multi-agency Nordic research and innovation programme for energy, climate and environment research that utilises a broad palette of instru-ments

– contribute to the development of adequate framework conditions for col-laboration between top-level researchers and innovators in the Nordic countries

– contribute to increased co-ordination and professional management of Nordic research and innovation efforts in the fields of energy, climate and the environment

– ensure effective and strategic use of resources by identifying areas where joint Nordic efforts have the greatest potential, and by stimulating the development of new initiatives through pilot projects and programmes – serve as a platform for further international co-operation.

Status

The Top-Level Research Initiative (TFI) was launched in 2009. Its inclusive and effective organisation comprises a board of key high-level national play-ers, with Director General Rolf Annerberg (Sweden) as chairperson. Six pro-gramme committees for the various sub-propro-grammes have been established, which bring together and integrate more than 100 national experts in re-search and innovation. The Nordic institutions NordForsk, the Nordic Innova-tion Centre (NICe) and Nordic Energy Research (NEF) together form an inte-grated and effective secretariat. The whole organisation brings together inno-vation and research and creates brand-new opportunities for making a signifi-cant Nordic contribution to meeting major social challenges.

All sub-programmes are expected to publish calls for funding tenders in 2009 or early 2010. The initiative’s first call for tenders was issued under the sub-programme “Impact Studies and Adaptation to Climate Change" in August 2009. The first calls under “Interaction between climate change and the cryosphere” and “Integration of large-scale wind power projects” were pre-announced in October 2009.

The initiative has been presented to the EU’s high-level “joint programming” group (GPC), under CREST, as a candidate for a “joint programming initia-tive” (JPI). In addition, evaluation is ongoing of the initiative’s potential as a platform for the rest of the world, including the EU’s Baltic Sea Strategy. The EU has put forward the TFI as a possible model for a flagship project under the EU’s new Baltic Sea Strategy. The work and strategies within the initiative

(7)

are being developed with reference to the EU’s 7th Framework Programme for Research, as well as other relevant EU research- and innovation-policy in-struments.

Planned activities

Strategic efforts to develop the work will be made in 2009 and 2010. Indus-try and business will be involved in the initiative, the long-term goal of which is to strengthen ties between the top research environments and the private sector, business and industry, as well as to stimulate growth in new innova-tion.

The initiative will be profiled as part of the Nordic Research and Innovation Area (NORIA). A number of special activities are planned in relation to the Climate Summit in Copenhagen (COP15) in December. TFI is part of the Council of Ministers for Education and Research’s (MR-U) combined COP15 action package.

An evaluation project has been launched in order to follow the initiative and continuously evaluate its success criteria. In spring 2010, TFI will undergo mid-term evaluation with a view to improvement and development.

Evaluation of whether the political objectives have been achieved

The project appears to be progressing as planned. The development of the initiative is a major achievement, one that demonstrates the effectiveness of Nordic co-operation on research and innovation policy. From commencement of planning to inaugural board meeting took less than one year, and the first call just to tenders was issued in just over 1.5 years.

The major challenges now are to move the initiative into its operational phase, and to build, strengthen and develop its strategic potential in relation to, for example, the European Research Area (ERA), industry and business, and to other major initiatives and activities, both in the individual countries in the Region and at Nordic level.

3. Innovation Representation in Asia

Purpose

In an era of global competition, it is vital to have access to the best and most advanced knowledge in the world, no matter where you are. It is therefore more important than ever that the Nordic countries orient themselves to-wards international research environments and growth areas. Efforts in this sphere are aimed at providing Nordic players with access to leading global growth areas and research environments in Asia.

Status

At their 2007 meeting in Punkaharju, the prime ministers called for a study of the potential for joint Nordic innovation representation in Asia. The Council of Ministers for Trade, Energy and Regional Policy (MR-NER) was given respon-sibility for this work and convened a working group of national specialists to study the opportunities. At their meeting in September 2008, MR-NER de-cided to implement the working group’s proposals in the financial years 2009 and 2010. The “Innovation Representation in Asia” initiative is run by NICe and has been inviting funding applications since April 2009.

The initiative co-funds Nordic co-operation on innovation initiatives and pro-jects involving Nordic representatives in Asia. Priority is given to themes linked to other globalisation initiatives, such as those covered by the Nordic Top-Level Research Initiative, and projects that deal with competitiveness, creativity, trademarks and design. The programme also encourages joint representation of Nordic countries in Asia with a view to identifying potential joint initiatives. Part of the programme is dedicated to pilot projects that test and develop concepts for a Nordic centre for open innovation in Asia. The

(8)

pilot projects will be evaluated after two years, and the results will be used to develop a more consolidated basis on which to make a final decision about the centre after a further two years.

In 2009, DKK 1,100,000 was earmarked for “Innovation Representation in Asia”. NICe has to date received two applications, representing a total of NOK 600,000, and is engaged in dialogue with three other projects that are ex-pected to submit applications in the near future. Potential future themes in-clude active old age, IT partnerships, electromagnetic technology, web 2.0 solutions for open innovation, the environment and energy.

Planned activities

Work is being done to identify how the pilot project can help to establish a Nordic lighthouse project, i.e. a project that will raise the political and busi-ness profile of the Nordic Region and the globalisation initiatives, and which will make visible the prospects for joint Nordic work and collaboration on globalisation and Asia. During the initiative’s first 4–6 months, NICe engaged in dialogue with relevant Nordic innovation stakeholders, including Innovation Norway and a number of companies. NICe plans to significantly improve its information efforts over the next six months – partly through presentation meetings in relevant Nordic innovation environments, and partly through enhanced communication efforts.

NICe provides information about the programme for innovation representa-tion in connecrepresenta-tion with Nordic Climate Solurepresenta-tions, Nordic Renewable Energy and the Baltic Development Forum. It is also running an information cam-paign, which includes visits to, among others, the scheme’s key target groups in the Nordic Region. The timescale for this campaign is October 2009 until February 2010.

Evaluation of whether the political objectives have been achieved

The initiative’s policy objectives will be achieved by the projects funded through the programme. Actual evaluations will therefore not be possible until late 2009 and 2010. Although the prime ministers’ original 2007 press release outlined the idea of joint representation in line with the embassy complex in Berlin, a less ambitious and more flexible model has been found. This is partly due to budgetary reasons, and partly due to the desire for a greater degree of flexibility in the initiative.

4. New Nordic Innovation Prize for Nordic quality

Purpose

The purpose of the annual Nordic Innovation Prize is to promote the impor-tance of innovation in the Region. Constant renewal is an essential part of developing a competitive region. An Innovation Prize has been proposed as a practical and positive way to reward innovation and draw attention to existing role models. The prize will be awarded to a new technology, product, process or organisation that makes commercial progress on a market and/or is of value to a wider circle or society in general. The innovation must also be in-tended to make an international impact or have the potential to do so. Status

In 2007, the prime ministers asked the Council of Ministers to present pro-posals for an innovation prize to the Nordic Council. The Council of Ministers for Trade, Energy and Regional Policy (MR-NER) was given responsibility for drawing up the concept. An ad hoc working group drafted a concept for the Innovation Prize, which was to be distributed at the prime ministers’ Global-isation Forum. The proposal by the working group was considered by the Committee of Senior Officials for Business, Energy and Regional Policies (EK-NER), and was also discussed by the Nordic Committee of Senior Officials for Education and Research (EK-U) and the Nordic Council’s Business and Indus-try Committee. Based on the working group’s concept and subsequent

(9)

politi-cal discussion, the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Secretariat (NCMS) and the Nordic Innovation Center (NICe) – with input from the countries – drafted a proposal for practical implementation, an adjudication committee, etc.

In September 2008, the proposal was submitted by NCM for discussion at the Nordic Council Session in October 2008. At its meeting in Reykjavik on 24 September 2008, the Nordic Council Business and Industry Committee de-cided to reject NCM’s proposal. On 30 September 2008, MR-NER dede-cided, regardless of the Nordic Council’s reservations, to set up the Nordic Innova-tion Prize. In a memorandum dated 27 October 2008, the Nordic Council’s Business and Industry Committee decided to support the NCM Innovation Prize. However, a minority on the committee expressed reservations about inaugurating new Nordic prizes. On 29 October 2008, the Nordic Council Ses-sion decided to recommend to NCM that the prize should not be set up. Against this background, the ministers for Nordic co-operation (MR-SAM) decided not to award the prize in 2009. The Nordic Co-operation Committee (NCC) and EK-NE have subsequently discussed options for proceeding with the idea.

Planned activities

At present, no plans have been devised to set up the prize, as no final deci-sion has been taken. No funds have been earmarked from the globalisation pool for an innovation prize in 2010.

Evaluation of how the initiative’s political objectives have been/will be achieved

The political objective of the initiative has not been achieved.

5. Joint Nordic Energy Expo

Purpose

The objective of Energy Expo is to strengthen the Nordic Region’s position at the forefront of new environment and energy technologies, and to raise the international profile of the Nordic countries.

The Nordic countries possess supplementary competences in the energy field, and collectively provide a wide range of state-of-the-art energy solutions. In addition, the Nordic Region is, as a result of long-standing co-operation in the field, right at the forefront of initiatives to promote guaranteed supplies and sustainable development. The Region is also a clear world leader in the de-velopment of a joint electricity market.

Energy Expo consists of two independent projects: a web portal, “Nordic En-ergy Solutions”; and a physical exhibition and conference, “Nordic Climate Solutions” (NCS). Both are designed to raise the profile of the Region at an international level.

Status

Nordic Energy Solutions (www.nordicenergysolutions.org) was launched at the Globalisation Forum in Iceland in February 2009. The portal’s target group consists of professional bodies that work on energy issues on a daily basis, e.g. governments and civil services, research networks and private companies. It provides a comprehensible overview of developments in the energy sector at both national and Nordic level. The information for the portal is regularly updated, and is provided by a working group of representatives from the Nordic energy ministries or their equivalents. The information ranges from action plans and objectives to available solutions, as well as Nordic research and innovation.

Nordic Energy Solutions serves as a positive and important exhibition window for the Nordic countries by providing access to extensive and relevant

(10)

infor-mation. The communications strategy will be heavily promoted in order to ensure that the portal reaches the right people.

Nordic Climate Solutions (www.nordicclimatesolutions.com) is both a confer-ence and an exhibition of Nordic energy-technology solutions. The conferconfer-ence was held for the second time in September 2009. This year, it was opened by the Danish Prime Minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, and attended by around 1,500 people. The conference programme was drawn up in close collabora-tion with Nordic institucollabora-tions, especially Nordic Energy Research (NEF) and the Nordic Innovation Center (NICe), and the speakers came from across the Region. The Nordic Region had its own stand in the middle of the exhibition area. As well as distributing Nordic information material, the stand was con-stantly manned by staff from the three Nordic institutions in Oslo – Nord-Forsk, NICe and NEF. A white paper was published outlining the main conclu-sions from the various sesconclu-sions at the conference.

Planned activities

Nordic Energy Solutions will enter its third phase in 2010. To make sure that information reaches the appropriate users, an evaluation will be conducted both of the website and of relevant new information. In relation to the brand-ing of the Nordic Region in overseas markets, various initiatives are planned, including a major piece in the journal Scientific American, as well as exhibi-tions and seminars in the USA and China.

Evaluation of the extent to which the initiative’s political objectives have been achieved

NCS’s visitor numbers in 2009 far exceeded the previous year. The project is based on extensive co-operation that transcends Nordic structures – as well as active participation by the Nordic institutions NICe, NEF, NordForsk and Nordregio, the Nordic Investment Bank (NIB) and NCM’s offices in Russia have also played a role. NCS has highlighted the diversity in the Region, both within the debate and in terms of its energy solutions. It paints a picture of a strong, innovative region that has plenty of ideas for combating climate change. Nordic Energy Solutions has a steady number of visitors. The site is still under development, which includes ongoing expansion of the available information.

6. 2010 Shanghai World Expo

Purpose

The objective is to raise the profile of the Nordic Region, and to present Nor-dic solutions, experiences and knowledge relevant to the Expo’s theme – “Better City, Better Life”. Nordic efforts are concentrated in areas in which joint activities generate added value and complement national efforts. These activities were devised against the background of the priorities of the other globalisation projects and relevant sectors, as well as NCC’s autumn 2008 fact-finding mission to China, and are described below.

Status

Nordic Climate Day: Nordic Energy Research has drawn up a proposal for this programme, one objective of which is to initiate Chinese–Nordic dialogue at a Nordic Climate Solutions session. The seminar will be held in the Finnish pa-vilion on 25 June 2010. Approximately 100 invited guests are expected to attend. The programme will be partly based on the Nordic Institute of Asian Studies’ (NIAS) evaluation report on the potential opportunities for Chinese– Nordic energy co-operation.

Seminar on food safety: Taking their starting point in the sea/earth-to-table concept, the Nordic countries have developed special competences in food safety and monitoring. A one-day seminar on the theme “Food safety – chal-lenges and solutions” will address food safety and monitoring issues,

(11)

includ-ing research, health, and animal and plant welfare. Approximately 100 in-vited guests are expected to attend.

Children’s film festival: A children’s film festival is planned for the Expo, and will last approximately one week. Nordic film-industry organisations are in-volved in planning and running the festival, which is aimed at Expo visitors. Joint Nordic pre-Expo event in Beijing: The Nordic ambassadors in Beijing will collectively invite the Chinese central government to a meeting at a suitable time in early 2010, in order to present the Nordic countries’ priorities for the Shanghai World Expo, and to outline joint Nordic activities.

New Nordic landscape architecture: This series of exhibitions and activities will focus on landscape architecture as a strategic tool in urban and regional development. The project will be the first of its kind, and as such has a large potential audience at both Nordic and international level. The main exhibition will be shown at several architecture centres and museums in the Nordic countries.

Tourism: Before and during the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, a number of media representatives and travel agents will visit the Nordic countries in or-der to highlight Nordic strengths in welfare, climate and the environment, and also to profile the Region as a tourist destination. This will be done in co-operation with the Scandinavian Tourist Board, VisitFinland and the Icelandic Tourist Board.

KreaNord: One of KreaNord’s aims is to participate in a range of communica-tion and profiling activities in Asia. Work is currently being done to identify the most appropriate way to incorporate this into the wider Expo work. Planned activities

The activities will take place immediately before or during the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, which starts on 1 May and runs until 31 October.

Evaluation of the extent to which the initiative’s political objectives have been achieved

The activities focus on Nordic strengths that have special significance for China, such as energy and the environment, food safety and children’s cul-ture. This fits in well with the media trips, which focus on the same themes. Co-operation with national general commissioners has ensured that the ac-tivities complement the acac-tivities in the national pavilions.

7. Nordic commitment to provide input into climate negotiations

Purpose

The Joint Nordic COP15 Group was formed in February 2008 with the aim of ensuring a positive outcome, from a Nordic perspective, of the 15th UNFCCC Conference of Parties (COP15) in Copenhagen in December 2009. The Group will initiate a number of activities that will facilitate the formal negotiations by creating preconditions for understanding and consensus between the relevant parties, but its task is not to develop joint Nordic negotiating positions. The job of the COP15 group is to contribute to and conduct analyses, studies, workshops and conferences in support of the Nordic climate negotiators. The work will primarily take as its starting point a report in the UNFCCC’s Bali Action Plan and the report “Possible activities to support negotiations on a post-2012 climate change regime” by Harald Dovland, formerly the Norwe-gian government’s top climate negotiator.

This work has been based on the following areas: the carbon market; defores-tation; funding; technology transfer; carbon sinks; and international transport. The Group’s total budget for 2008–2009 was approximately DKK 7 million.

(12)

Status

The Group has worked with both formal and informal reports, discussions and processes. Some events have involved Nordic experts, while others have involved negotiators from around the world. The work has been done in close consultation with the heads of the Nordic countries’ negotiating delegations. Along with the Nordic climate negotiators, the COP15 Group has identified areas where there remains considerable distance between the parties, includ-ing the question of which measures to reduce emissions should be quantified and how the reporting should be done; a global emissions market; funding; technology transfer; and adaptation to climate change. On these issues, the Group organises meetings between key negotiators from developed and de-veloping countries. These meetings are held in the Nordic countries, but also, in connection with the climate convention’s autumn negotiations, in Bonn, Bangkok and most recently in Barcelona, in advance of the COP15 meeting in December. The Group adapts its activities in response to the progress of the negotiations. As the date of the summit draws ever nearer, much of the Group’s work in 2009 has involved organising informal meetings and work-shops, rather than conducting analyses and writing reports.

Planned activities

The negotiations on the Kyoto Protocol showed that effective agreement on technical aspects is crucial if a new climate agreement is to come into force in 2013. Time is running out, the envisaged agreement is very complex, and the need for prompt and adequate analysis is ever greater. The Nordic coun-tries’ high profile is a political asset that has to be managed properly, which means that work on these issues will be just as important in 2010. There will still be the same need for analysis, studies and meetings to identify potential technical solutions. Important areas are expected to include funding and fi-nancial management; sectoral approaches; technology transfer; and defores-tation. The question of whether or not to continue with the work will be ad-dressed by the environment sector before the COP15 Group’s mandate ex-pires in March 2010.

Evaluation of the extent to which the initiative’s political objectives have been achieved

The Nordic countries are working towards reaching a new, binding and ambi-tious climate agreement at COP15 in Copenhagen. The political assessment at present is that the conditions do exist for a politically binding agreement, although it is commonly thought that many of the technical questions will not be decided at COP15. The agreement in Copenhagen will therefore need to be followed up with ongoing, detailed negotiations under the auspices of the climate convention. This means that global climate negotiations will continue throughout 2010.

8. Freedom of movement in the Nordic Region

Purpose

The initiative aims to make it easier for individuals and companies to operate across borders in the Nordic Region, by exerting pressure and proposing so-lutions in circumstances where laws, other regulations or practices have a negative impact on mobility in the Region.

Status

In January 2008, the Ministers for Nordic Co-operation set up what they called the Nordic Freedom of Movement Forum, which consists of a represen-tative from each country plus a chairperson. The Forum’s activities have in-cluded drawing ministers’ attention to specific barriers, writing letters to min-istries and agencies, and commissioning analyses and studies to highlight specific problems. The latter includes an analysis of the preconditions for a joint Nordic system of deposits on beverage containers, a study of the need for co-ordinated Nordic implementation of EU directives, and an assessment of the countries’ different rules on service pensions and early retirement.

(13)

Planned activities

During the period December 2009–2010, several of the above-mentioned analyses will be presented, as will proposals for political follow-up. In addi-tion, the Forum will continue to lobby ministers for political approval of changes to the rules. Work has begun on reaching an agreement between Denmark and Sweden on employers’ social-security contributions for people working in two countries simultaneously and for different employers. Round-table talks will also be held on whether the so-called cross-border agree-ments are being adhered to, and to assess opportunities to improve adminis-trative procedures or change the agreement itself. A report on freedom of movement was drawn up for the Nordic Council Session 2009.

Evaluation of the extent to which the initiative’s political objectives have been achieved

The Freedom of Movement Forum is fulfilling its purpose. Its biggest success to date can be considered its work on gradually persuading countries to ac-cept the idea of closer technical co-operation on legal issues in order to pre-vent new barriers emerging as a result of national legislation and the imple-mentation of EU directives. In addition, the Freedom of Movement Forum continues to work on a large number of specific obstacles to cross-border freedom of movement, and is expected to help resolve them in the next few years.

9. Development of the Nordic research and innovation area (NORIA)

Purpose

The objective of the programme is to strengthen the Nordic countries’ global competitiveness through more intensive development of the Nordic Research and Innovation Area (NORIA).

Status

The programme is built up around specific components: pioneering spear-head projects; long-term strategic input; and profiling projects.

Spearhead projects:

I. Cross-border research funding has been developed. The Research Council of Norway is the first national research council to accept appli-cations from Nordic institutions and co-operation bodies.

II. eScience has been established as a joint research area. A strategy has been devised, and the specific action plan for eScience has been real-ised in dialogue with key national stakeholders. eScience is also being developed as a new Nordic globalisation initiative.

III. The development of a joint knowledge infrastructure for the “fifth free-dom” (i.e. free movement of knowledge) in the Baltic Sea Region is be-ing evaluated. A feasibility study involvbe-ing the key stakeholders in every country around the Baltic Sea has concluded, and has yielded positive and potentially groundbreaking results. Its implementation is now being evaluated. The knowledge infrastructure for the fifth free-dom involves working together on the physical infrastructure for high-capacity networks that support advanced research and the develop-ment of prioritised digital services and eScience.

IV. The Council of Ministers for Trade, Energy and Regional Policies (MR-NER) has decided that stakeholders in Nordic innovation must work more closely together. A process has begun whereby leading innova-tion players from the Nordic countries, as well as representatives of the Nordic Committee of Senior Officials for Industrial Policy (AK-Ä), the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Secretariat and the Nordic Innovation Cen-ter (NICe), will identify relevant areas of operation and effective co-operation models in this field. The work will form part of a new innova-tion policy acinnova-tion plan, which will be drawn up in 2010.

(14)

V. In 2008, MR-NER developed a mandate for the research programme, which was co-ordinated in 2009 by NordForsk, NICe and national initia-tives. The actual research programme will begin in 2010.

Strategic development:

a) The capacity and ability to co-ordinate the development, establishment and implementation of major joint research programmes in the Nordic Region will be developed and strengthened through a project on govern-ance in Nordic research co-operation. The work improves conditions for the development and realisation of the “fifth freedom” in the Region, es-pecially with reference to major joint Nordic programmes, e.g. current or future top-level research initiatives. The project covers all research-oriented committees of senior officials and Nordic research stakeholders, as well as the national research councils.

b) Nordic research and innovation co-operation will be further strengthened by a high-level workshop, involving ÄK-U and ÄK-NER and representa-tives of national research and innovation funding bodies, on joint visions and tasks in this area.

c) Synergies between NORIA and ERA will be developed. A report on syn-ergy enhancement has been presented and sent out for consultation with stakeholders. This will be followed up with a tangible action plan involving closer relationships and networks between key players in Nordic research co-operation and national players in Brussels. A workshop on forging closer relationships between key stakeholders is planned for early 2010 in Brussels. A back-to-back meeting will also be arranged with the European Commission (DG Research).

Profiling:

The Nordic Region is working to position itself as an attractive research and innovation area. The work will be developed in conjunction with the globalisa-tion programme’s higher educaglobalisa-tion priority.

Planned activities

– Work on governance in Nordic research co-operation will be continued and developed.

– The feasibility study about educational science research and communica-tion will be followed up.

– The feasibility study of the knowledge infrastructure for the fifth freedom in the Baltic Region will be conducted.

– The action plan on greater synergies between NORIA and ERA will be implemented.

– Implementation of research programme for user-driven innovation. Evaluation of whether the political objectives have been achieved

The initiative appears to be proceeding as planned. The main challenges are to develop and create broad Nordic and national understanding and consen-sus on governance in Nordic research co-operation, particularly with regard to issues related to the basic principles of co-operation, co-ordination and a multi-sectoral and multi-agency approach.

10. Promoting higher education in the Nordic Region

Purpose

The project is in line with the Nordic prime ministers’ 2007 Punkaharju press release, which calls for efforts to “increase contact between Nordic institutions of higher education and promote the Nordic Region as an attractive place to study”. The project, which consists of three different components, aims to raise the profile of the Nordic Region and to establish it as an attractive region for education. The purpose is to increase the attractiveness of the Region, primar-ily to retain the enterprising and innovative people who live there, but also to attract those from elsewhere who possess the same qualities.

(15)

As far as the profiling aspect is concerned, the aim is to complete this pilot project in 2009, and to use the experiences gained and the results to inform decisions on further profiling initiatives in the coming years. This work should also be seen in the context of the profiling of NORIA, as well as NCM’s over-arching profiling work. The groundwork was already done during the co-operation project with the national profiling organisations in higher education and the Association of Nordic University Rectors’ Conferences (NUS). A work-shop for representatives of relevant stakeholders in the Nordic Region was held on 13 May 2009. A reference group consisting of the national profiling organisations has been set up to help implement the strategy.

A well-attended workshop on generating greater synergies was held on May 25. The aim was to gather experiences and opinions related to the future commercialisation of research and innovation at universities and colleges. A further purpose was to identify joint Nordic initiatives and actions that would strengthen the Region as a common, integrated platform for research and innovation in the face of the global competition in knowledge and develop-ment.

The first call for proposals for the Nordic Master’s Programme, which was issued in 2007, generated a highly positive response from the Nordic higher education sector. Forty-one consortia submitted applications, of which six were accepted. The current assessment is that these cross-border pro-grammes are fairly unique among the world’s higher education systems, and as such they have attracted considerable international attention. The devel-opment of the Nordic Master’s Programme is a direct consequence of the prime ministers’ focus on globalisation. The first six programmes have now been launched, and will play an important role in increasing the attractive-ness of the Nordic Region as a knowledge region. The Nordic Master’s Pro-gramme concept is also an important element in marketing and promoting the Region internationally.

A second call for proposals (this time for climate-related programmes) was issued in spring 2009, and again generated a large response. A Nor-dic/international group of experts chose four programmes that met the high-est quality standards. A conference on quality was held on 16–17 April 2009, under the auspices of NOQA (Nordic Organisation for Quality Assurance), which is a voluntary collaboration between the Nordic quality-assurance agencies. It concluded, among other things, that the Nordic quality-assurance process exhibits both convergent and divergent tendencies, and emphasised the need for continued Nordic co-operation and knowledge-sharing in this field. A conference that focused more directly on the experi-ence of the first six Master’s Programmes was held in Stockholm on 9 June 2009. It facilitated valuable exchanges of experience and knowledge, and the six programmes provided each other with the inspiration to cope with various challenges. It is worth noting that the THES list of the 200 top universities includes 11 from the Nordic Region, nine of which are involved in the Nordic Master’s Programme.

Planned activities

Profiling: Based in part on the results of the pilot project, a decision will be taken on continued profiling activities. This will be seen in the context of identifying the universities’ and colleges’ strengths in research and higher education, and will also involve both profiling NORIA and assessing this profil-ing process.

Nordic Masters: An experience seminar will be held in November with repre-sentatives of both the first and the second group of master’s programmes. The Nordic Council of Ministers for Educational and Research Issues (MR-U) discussed the programmes’ evaluation at its meeting on 28 October 2009. A third call is scheduled for spring 2010.

(16)

Synergies: The workshop on commercialisation, which was held in May 2009, highlighted the positive and interesting activities in this field, and emphasised the fact that the whole commercialisation area attracts a great deal of atten-tion. The workshop also demonstrated that initiatives vary widely between individual countries, and therefore there is a vital need to exchange experi-ences. This should be taken up in new initiatives, in dialogue with relevant stakeholders.

Evaluation of the extent to which the initiative’s political objectives have been achieved

The Secretariat is of the opinion that the project is developing very well, and that it clearly stimulates cross-border activities and initiatives in higher edu-cation in the Nordic Region. It is also believed that the project has generated greater interest among Nordic universities and colleges in finding Nordic solu-tions to some of the challenges of globalisation. This applies to all of the pro-ject’s various components. The challenge ahead is to maintain the positive and central co-operation with key stakeholders in higher education in the Region, and to get the project’s various components to support and comple-ment each other more effectively.

11. Adequate teaching for young people and adults

Objective

The project’s over-arching objective is to encourage more young people to complete post-school education (youth training), and, as per the principle of lifelong learning, to promote adult knowledge and skills as the basis for both personal development and the further development of society and the work-place. The project encourages closer co-operation between the business and working life sectors. It aims to contribute to the further development of the Nordic countries’ education systems, with a view to educating knowledgeable, creative, independent and socially confident young people and adults who are willing and able to try out new ideas.

Status

Study of and exchange of experiences on the work to improve further educa-tion: The study “Young people’s path from school to work – Nordic experi-ences” was published in 2008. In November 2008, a Nordic conference based on the study (“From vocational training to work – a Nordic perspective”) was held in Lund, Sweden, and a discussion on the same theme was held in the MR-U. A further study has been launched to assess the status of research on drop-out rates in the Nordic education systems. In addition, key policy initia-tives and efforts to reduce drop-out rates in the Region will be mapped, with a view to identifying the most successful programmes. The study will con-clude in December.

Development work on entrepreneurship: During a discussion on this theme at MR-U 1/09, the decision was taken to conduct a Nordic comparative study on creativity, entrepreneurship in innovation and education in a globalised era. The decision was based on a wish to promote creativity and innovation in the education system. A call for tenders for the study was announced in autumn 2009.

Development work on adults’ basic competences: In an increasingly knowl-edge-driven world, basic competences in reading, writing, arithmetic and IT are crucial. However, an OECD study from 2000 revealed that a third of the Nordic Region’s adult population has reading difficulties or has a reading age below the minimum standard. In this light, a study of how to organise effec-tive literacy teaching for adults was launched in 2009.

The establishment of a learning and dialogue forum: The purpose of the fo-rum is to develop new ways of organising meetings and conferences. The aim

(17)

is to improve learning through dialogue and the exchange of experiences by active and committed participants, as well as a closer focus on results and knowledge-sharing. It is also hoped that the objectives will raise awareness of the themes, content and objectives of the globalisation project. The learn-ing and dialogue forum is therefore in line with the prime ministers’ desire for “a more visible Nordic Region”. The first learning and dialogue forum was held in Iceland on 23 September 2009, under the theme “A holistically-oriented education policy”. It brought together nearly 140 participants from across the Nordic education sector and labour market. Other learning and dialogue forums will be held at the conference “Innovation and creativity in the hands of the young”, which will take place in Iceland in December 2009. Learning and dialogue forums will not only be held at various conferences, seminars, etc., but online via www.dialognorden.org. The website will include a number of tools that can contribute to increased learning and dialogue. Planned activities

Study and exchange of experiences on the work to improve completion rates in further education: A key task in 2010 will be to follow up on the results and recommendations from the study of drop-out rates, due to be completed in December 2009, as well as to disseminate experiences through the learn-ing and dialogue forums. Policy discussions of the study’s results and recom-mendations will take place in MR-U, and will include an assessment of whether to launch a programme for educational research and communica-tions, including a qualitative and quantitative research project on drop-out rates, as recommended by the Nordic Council. MR-U will also discuss whether there is a need for development work in this field, particularly with regard to methodological development.

Development work in entrepreneurship: A draft for the Nordic comparative study on creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship in the Nordic education systems will be discussed at an international conference on the European Year of Creativity and Innovation. Iceland and the Nordic Council of Ministers will organise the conference in December 2009. The final report will be ready in 2010. MR-U will then decide how its recommendations should be followed up. Development work on adults’ basic competences: The results from the mid-term report on the organisation of effective literacy training for adults, which will be completed in 2010, will be used to identify the need for further meas-ures within this area. An international conference (“Skills in the Workforce”) on the Nordic adult education model is planned, possibly in co-operation with the EU and UNESCO/Europe. The conference will focus on spreading aware-ness of Nordic best practice in adult education. One possible outcome of the event might be an initiative for establishing global, national and regional strategies for adult learning.

Establishment of a learning and dialogue forum: This concept will be further developed, particularly with regard to identifying opportunities for linking the forum to international conferences to be held in 2010 on the Nordic model for organising adult education. If appropriate, it may also be linked to primary and junior-secondary education and youth-training programmes.

Evaluation of the extent to which the initiative’s political objectives have been achieved

In the opinion of the Secretariat, the project appears to be proceeding to plan. Interim reports, conferences and political discussions have been rele-vant and positive. The project is believed to contribute to the collation and focusing of efforts in the whole field of education, and the learning and dia-logue forum strengthens opportunities for knowledge-sharing. The challenge ahead will be to deliver results in terms of actual learning, dialogue and ex-change of experiences with relevant target groups in the education sector and on the labour market. The learning and dialogue forum has a key role to play in achieving this objective, and the results of the first forum are

(18)

consid-ered to be promising. In 2010, closer attention will also be paid to the adult literacy sub-initiative, particularly the possibility of an international confer-ence on the Nordic adult-education model.

12. Illustration of the consequences of climate change for the Nordic Region’s natural resources

Purpose

This thematic network programme will form the basis for an adaptation and initiative policy on climate change’s impact on natural resources and food production. The programme focuses on important production systems in agri-culture, forestry, fisheries and food. The research environments will contrib-ute knowledge about climate change’s impact on future productivity, its spread and the use of natural resources. Developing dialogue between re-search and the administration is central to the programme, as academic rec-ommendations may inform Nordic climate policy in this area. The programme should help to boost research environments, national research projects and Nordic research co-operation, and provide relevant, high-quality output. Status

At its first meeting on 28 May 2009, the Steering Group approved an overall draft of the call for funding applications. The title of the programme is “Cli-mate Change: Impacts, Adaptation and Mitigation in Nordic Primary Indus-tries (Fishery, Agriculture, Food, Forestry)”. The Group then drew up a final draft covering five thematic and parallel inter-sectoral and sector-specific initiatives, which was published on the NordForsk website on 24 June 2009. The two multi-sectoral themes study opportunities and threats in the primary industries in relation to i) health and plant and animal welfare; and ii) con-servation, adaptation and the use of genetic resources. The three sectoral themes focus on effects and initiatives in i) animal and grain production; ii) fish production and the spread and sustainability of commercial fish stocks; and iii) the sustainable production of wood biomass and terrestrial carbon-capture systems. The Steering Group specified the content of the call for tenders at a meeting held on 20 August 2009. It was published immediately after the meeting and the deadline was extended by one month.

Planned activities

The deadline for applications is 3 November 2009. NordForsk will process the applications in winter 2009. The approved research network will receive fund-ing in January 2010. NordForsk will stage a kick-off seminar at the start of the programme, and the networks will hold regular knowledge-sharing semi-nars. NordForsk will monitor the networks, which will write annual reports throughout the four-year programme period. The networks’ results will form the basis on which the Steering Group will compose and draw up a Nordic policy for adaptation to climatic change in the primary industries. The rec-ommendations will be presented in early 2014.

Evaluation of the extent to which the initiative’s political objectives have been achieved

The programme will be implemented in three stages: i) call for tenders for project funding, and entering into contracts with research environments; ii) implementation and feedback from the five expert network projects; and iii) summary of the expert recommendations, which will form the basis of Nordic climate policy in the primary industries. A steering group made up of experts from relevant expert and political environments has been set up to imple-ment the project. The members of the Steering Group will be appointed by the Committee of Senior Officials for Fishery and Marine Resources, Forestry, Agriculture and Foodstuffs (EK-FJLS) and the Nordic Committee of Senior Officials for Environmental Affairs (EK-M). The Steering Group is expected to maintain dialogue and contact with the various political levels within Nordic co-operation, in order to ensure that the initiative’s political objectives are

(19)

achieved. A definitive evaluation will only be possible after the programme ends in 2013.

13. Development and profiling of the Nordic Region as a centre for creative industries

Purpose

Development and profiling of the Nordic Region as a centre for creative in-dustries is the responsibility of the multi-sectoral Nordic working group Kre-aNord, which was set up in June 2008. KreaNord is a Nordic network and focal point for exchanges of experiences, knowledge and development visions that affect the business and culture sectors of the Nordic creative economy. KreaNord aims to help improve co-ordination between the Nordic countries’ efforts in the cultural and creative industries by focusing mainly on four ar-eas: networking activities, development initiatives, policy recommendations and profiling activities.

Status

KreaNord has initiated a series of measures and activities that, individually or collectively, help to improve conditions for the Nordic region’s creative econ-omy. This involves targeted interaction between government and industry experts in the four focus areas.

The following five projects have already launched:

– The “Incubator Activities and Business Funding” project started in au-tumn 2009, and aims to enhance business knowledge through consultan-cy and expert services, e.g. providing information on funding.

– The project “Entrepreneurship in Artistic and Creative Study

Pro-grammes” is designed to improve conditions for the development of the Nordic cultural and creative industries by emphasising entrepreneurship and business development in artistic and creative study programmes at university level, thereby making the Region more competitive. The pro-ject report will be delivered in January 2010.

– The “Nordic Game Program” aims to ensure that the Region’s games in-dustry exports quality Nordic products to global markets. KreaNord will supplement the established programme with DKK 1 million p.a. to cover international digital distribution, consumer support, etc.

– KreaNord has initiated the development of a profiling tool that will pro-mote the Nordic creative industries’ international competitiveness. It will involve KreaNord participating in and conducting presentations about the Nordic creative industries at four international conferences in 2010. – KreaNord is developing a website/portal (www.kreanord.org) to meet the

information needs of industry and the reference group. This portal will be used internally as a tool for the working group, and in the longer term will provide opportunities to disseminate information on KreaNord’s pro-gress.

Planned activities

In October 2009, KreaNord approved the 2010–2013 globalisation initiative “Culture & Creativity”, and will plan its future activities and progress accord-ingly. During autumn 2009, KreaNord has been working on an OECD analysis in an IPR (Intellectual Property Rights) framework, in order to explore and compare how small and medium-size enterprises in creative industries can generate value in the form of intangible assets and competitiveness. Kre-aNord will also work on the development of policy recommendations and on its own exhibition at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. It will also participate in conferences and other networking activities, both in Europe and in other in-ternational contexts. KreaNord is expected to lay the foundations for further globalisation initiatives related to the creative industries.

(20)

Evaluation of the extent to which the initiative’s political objectives have been achieved

A definitive evaluation of whether the policy objectives have been achieved will not be possible until after the end of the programme. Its mandate means that KreaNord has responsibility for developing overall policy recommenda-tions for the Nordic Region’s creative economy and will continue to work on this until the end of 2010. The individual Nordic countries invest in the crea-tive industries in different ways, but their activities will be co-ordinated via KreaNord in order to present a stronger, united Nordic profile.

14. Harmonisation of the Nordic electricity market

Purpose

The realisation of a joint Nordic end-user market is one target in the work on harmonisation of the Nordic electricity market. This would enable Nordic con-sumers to freely choose between electricity suppliers from across the whole Region. The objective is to improve efficiency and competition, and thereby contribute to the creation of a borderless Nordic electricity market.

Status

A working group (the Electricity Market Group) has conducted an external analysis in order to assess the potential profitability of a joint end-user mar-ket. The cost/benefit analysis concluded in early May 2009 formed the back-ground for a series of surveys of market stakeholders. The subsequent report reveals that a series of interconnected factors determine the profitability of a fully liberalised market, and that shared monitoring and IT systems are nec-essary preconditions. The conclusions formed part of a total package regard-ing the electricity market that was presented for discussion by MR-NER in Stockholm on 27 October 2009.

Planned activities

Harmonisation of the end-user market is incredibly complicated, and involves many interested parties and stakeholders. The Electricity Market Group has therefore determined that further analysis is required before any real break-through can be made.

Evaluation of the extent to which the initiative’s political objectives have been achieved

The transition from a joint Nordic electricity market to a borderless one is a highly complicated process. Analysis of the potential of a joint end-user mar-ket will give ministers an adequate basis on which to make decisions. It is still too early to assess the profitability of the transition to a fully liberalised market.

15. Nordic culture in the world

Purpose

The globalisation initiative “Nordic Culture in the world” is designed to raise the profile of Nordic culture outside of the Region’s borders, strengthen the Nordic cultural “brand” internationally, and show what Nordic culture has to offer in a global marketplace. The initiative is divided into three sub-projects – Nordic film, Nordic architecture and Nordic literature.

Status

The timeframe for implementation of the project is 2009–2011, with the fol-lowing milestones along the way: the International Film Festival in Toronto, September 2009; Shanghai World Expo in May 2010; and the Paris Book Fair, March 2011. The first sub-project within the initiative, which was imple-mented by the Nordic Film and Television Fund, was a major promotion for Nordic film and TV productions at the international film festival in Toronto in September 2009. On Saturday 12 September, the Icelandic Minister of Edu-cation, Research, Culture and Nordic Co-operation, Katrín Jakobsdóttir, pre-sented the culture ministers’ globalisation strategy, as well as three specific

(21)

globalisation initiatives (Nordic culture in the world: Toronto, Shanghai and Paris), at an event staged by the Nordic Film and Television Fund. After the Minister opened the seminar, the Director of the Nordic Film & Television Fund introduced the “High Five Toronto” initiative. Trailers were screened of the Nordic films selected for the festival, as well as films for which the Nordic culture ministers have earmarked funding for international distribution. Par-ticipants at the event included representatives from the Canadian and inter-national film industry, especially distribution companies, buyers, film festi-vals, media and film-writers.

Planned activities

The remaining two sub-projects will be implemented as follows: The Nordic architectural centres will work together to produce an exhibition of Nordic urban landscape architecture for the Shanghai World Expo in May 2010 (un-der the Expo theme “Better City, Better Life”), with a subsequent touring exhibition. The Nordic network of literary organisations (NORDLIT) will be engaged in promotional activities at the Paris Book Fair in March 2011, at which the overall theme will be Nordic literature. Detailed project descriptions from the people responsible for each project have been submitted, and con-tracts will be signed with the relevant parties in 2009.

Evaluation of the extent to which the initiative’s political objectives have been achieved

The “High Five Toronto” event was highly visible, and made a distinct Nordic impact on the international film festival. It was very positively received by both the cultural personalities and buyers who attended. Several buyers have already been in contact with the Nordic Film & TV Fund about international distribution for Nordic films. The initiative is now being followed up with im-pact surveys and media monitoring.

References

Related documents

The total number of hours that should be scheduled in the staffing plan depends on how many hours the positions are open each week and how much of the working time that ATCOs

Figure 1 shows normalized low-temperature PL spectra measured with delay time ⌬t=0 min for as-grown 共solid lines兲 and annealed 共dashed lines兲 samples of type I..

For the DNA methylation analysis, we used a novel combination of methods (Genotyping-by-Sequencing and Methylated DNA immunoprecipitation) that we developed previously [ 41 ]. RJF

Both the top-view (Figure 2a) and cross-sectional (Figure 2b) SEM images of these films show no obvious difference, showing compact and pinhole-free morphologies, which are

The aim of the project is to exploit the formal models of the AUTOSAR standard, developed by the industrial part- ner of the project Quviq AB, in order to predict possible

Hansson and Johansson (2000) analyzed the paper surface topography using polarized illumination to eliminate the specular reflecting component. The recorded

Detta kan alltså vara ett sätt att få barnet att vilja bli delaktig i att skapa någon sorts relation till behandlaren, vilket är något krävs för att sedan kunna skapa

Unsupervised clustering of gene expression array and methylation array data from seven single cell clones matched the clonal structure of the mutational analysis data (Figure